Queens Welcomes Four New Councilmen

Along with a new Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller and Borough President, Queens welcomed four new councilmen on Election Day, all of them Democrats.

Starting on Jan. 1, Paul Vallone, Costa Constantinides, Rory Lancman and Daneek Miller will be members of the City Council.

Costa Constantinides speaks about his election in Astoria.

Vallone came ahead of this opponent, Republican Dennis Saffran, with 57.2 percent of the vote in District 19.

“Those who want to divide don’t get a place at this table,” Vallone said. “It’s those who want to build this community, that’s who’s going to go forward.”

Term-limited Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria), said he was proud of his brother.

“It’s great for the community to have a moderate and sensible voice on the City Council,” Peter said.

The election will put the seat back in Democratic control, after being held by embattled Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) since 2010.

Since Peter Vallone Jr. is term-limited, Astoria welcomed Constantinides as its new councilman.

With 65.6 percent of the vote, the former legislative director for Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) said he was humbled by everyone’s support and proud to be the first Greek American in the City Council.

“I will fight for the 160,000 constituents in this district and make sure government works for them,” Constantinides said Tuesday night. “I am excited about the work ahead of us.”

He said he wants to start working on issues that matter most to Astoria residents, like the excess amount of school trailers, better air quality and cleaner streets.

Green Party candidate Lynne Serpe came in second with 15 percent of the vote and Republican candidate Daniel Paterson took 11.2 percent of the vote.

Out in District 24, Lancman was elected to replace the term-limited Gennaro.

Lancman took 73.7 percent of the vote. Republican Alexander Blishteyn came in second with 19.9 percent of the vote. Family Values candidate Mujib Rahman came in third with 6.3 percent.

With his win, Lancman is returning to an elected office, having served as an assemblyman from 2007 to 2012.